About Us

 

We are a locally owned, physician directed med spa that focuses on safety, convenience, confidence, results, value, and inclusivity. Beverly and her late husband “Doc” were a Nurse/physician team who brought lasers for aesthetics to mid Missouri in the 1990’s and founded The Laser Clinic. Beverly was seeing Dr. Crowder as a patient in her medical office. Dr. Crowder was amazed by her fantastic results with laser hair removal. So much so, that when Beverly wanted to retire, Dr. Crowder was thrilled to take over the clinic! 

While much has changed at The Laser Clinic since the days that Bev and Doc ran it, one thing has remained constant: a focus on great results and client satisfaction! As a locally owned business, we know that our reputation is key to our success. We want our clients to be happy. Our services may not be for everyone, and that’s okay. We would rather part as friends than to lock in your money for services you don’t want or need.

We are focused on friendly, personalized service for our community and we hope it will include you. The process starts with a personalized consultation. We will discuss your interests and needs and get all your questions answered. We can customize a plan just for you! 

The majority of our staff has a background in medicine. Dr. Crowder is a double board certified physician. Many of our staff members continue to work full time in ancillary roles in medical or hospital settings. Others are licensed in aesthetics. All have trained and are certified in laser treatments. Feel free to review each staff member’s profile to learn more about us!

 
 

Meet the Team

  • Sara Crowder, MD - Physician, Owner

    Dr. Crowder has owned The Laser Clinic since 2017. She practices Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology full-time in her private practice (Gynecology Specialists). Her main focus is Robotic Surgery. She loves her work at The Laser Clinic because she loves meeting the clients and helping them build confidence.

    Hometown: Columbia, MO

    High School: David H Hickman High School, Class of ‘83

    College: Stephens College and University of MIssouri, BA Biology/Chemisty ‘89

    Medical School: University of Missouri, MD ‘94

    Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX Obstetrics and Gynecology ‘98

    Fellowship: Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX ‘02

    Dr. Crowder is interested in aesthetic treatments that promote healthy skin. She strives to help clients obtain a natural look that delays the effects of aging. She wants this for herself as well, so she can delay having a face lift for as long as possible.

    In her free time, she likes watching movies, reading, researching new esthetic technologies, motivating herself to work out, and trying to convince her teenagers that she is cool.

  • Kari Rippeto, CST - Practice Manager

    Kari has a background in surgical technology and has worked with Dr. Crowder since 200X. Initially, she worked as a surgical technologist in the OR with Dr. Crowder, then as her first assistant and scribe, and eventually as the practice manager of her medical practice. She has been with The Laser Clinic since Dr. Crowder took over and went through laser training with Dr. Crowder. She manages the business and continues to perform treatments as well. She is always the first to volunteer for new treatments.

    Hometown: Hallsville, MO

    High School: Hallsville High

    Advanced training:
    Surgical Technology, CACC 200X
    Laser Training, National Laser Institute

    In her free time, Kari enjoys honkytonking, working on her home, hanging out with her dog and her daughter, and singing along loudly to country music.

  • William Wirt Haines, VI - Clinic Coordinator

    William joined our team in December 2019, just in time to welcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic! His skills, grace, and positive attitude have helped us all to persevere. He is the resident esthetic expert and is a guru of chemical peels. He is so knowledgeable about all things PCA that Dr. Crowder is always worried PCA will try to hire him away from us! While technically a millennial, he is refreshingly old school and prefers talking on the phone to texting any day.

    Hometown: Louisiana, MO

    Advanced Training:
    Paul Mitchell School of Aesthetics, 200X
    Began working in aesthetics 200X
    Laser institute 2019

    William is interested in getting to know client’s skin so he can help make the best recommendations. He can come up with a regimen of sunscreen, maintenance and corrective products, and technologies to help solve your skin problems and let your skin glow! He is skilled at technologies such as RF microneedling, Laser Hair Removal, Chemical Peels, Facials, Dermaplaning, Microdermabrasion, and a variety of laser technologies.

    In his free time, William enjoys working out, learning about new aesthetic services, coordinating drag shows, working with the LGBT community, and keeping the plants alive at TLC.

  • Amber Elliott, RN - Nurse Clinician

    Amber was a cardiology nurse for years, and then took a break to raise her children. When she was ready to get back into practice, she joined our team and now brings her medical expertise to TLC! Amber loves working with clients to achieve their goals. She is often the first one to volunteer to try out new services herself.

    Advanced training:
    Laser Training, National Laser Institute

  • Taylor O’Brian, CST

    Taylor works with Dr. Crowder in the operating room as her surgical technologist and first assistant. He is the Robotic Surgery Program coordinator at Boone Hospital Center and enjoys working in a variety of surgical settings. Dr. Crowder recruited him to The Laser Clinic in January 2020 to lead the Tattoo Removal services. He was also the first person to have a tattoo removed at TLC, so he can speak to it first hand. He also does Laser Hair Removal and is working with William to promote Men’s services including intimate areas so men can enjoy all the benefits of Laser Hair Removal as well. He enjoys assisting in all procedures at TLC, especially ones that use the chiller.

    Hometown: Ashland, MO

    High School: Hallsville High

    Advanced training:
    Surgical Technologist, 20XX

    In his free time, Taylor enjoys watching movies, home decor, fashion, travel, and buying shoes that are way too expensive.

  • Rachel Mallett, RN, FNP-BC

    Rachel has worked with Dr. Crowder since 2004. She began as Dr. Crowder’s clinical trials coordinator for cancer research at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and followed her into private practice. She has extensive experience in the OR, post-operative care, chemotherapy, and cancer survivorship. She went to Nurse Practitioner school while working for Dr. Crowder and did her NP clinicals all while working full time and raising two daughters. She now focuses on running the medical practice, cancer survivorship, gynecologic cancer prevention, and well woman care. She has worked at the Laser Clinic since Dr. Crowder took it over, and while she works limited hours there now, we anticipate she will be back in full force in the future, and is still very much a part of our team.

    In her free time, she enjoys walking, mentoring her daughters in sports, volunteering at Our Lady of Lourdes, and throwing away clutter.